FORGOTTEN winger Richie Partridge has admitted that next season will be make or break time in his Liverpool career.

The young Irishman has been at the club for six years, but has yet to play a league game.

With a year to run on his contract, the Dubliner has revealed that if he cannot force his way into Gerard Houllier's plans next season, he will leave Anfield.

The Reds are chasing million pound wingers Damien Duff and Harry Kewell, but tridge believes he can be the one offer the team some much needed width - saving the club a fortune in transfer fees.

He said: "I would love to break into the first team squad next season and start playing some games for Liverpool. I know I seem to say this every summer, but this year really is make-or-break for me.

"I have been at Liverpool for a long time now. I'm 23 later this year and at this stage of my career I really need to be playing team football, especially if I'm going to get a chance to play for Ireland again."

A number of clubs have shown interest in Partridge, who impressed during a loan spell at Gary McAllister's Coventry City last season.

His stay at Highfield Road was cut short when he had to undergo a hernia operation in March. He is now fully fit and is looking forward to pre-season training.

Partridge said: "I had a good chat with Phil Thompson a few weeks ago and he gave me a lot of encouragement. He reassured me that I had a future at the club. He said that if I was fully fit and did well in the pre-season, I would be in with a shout.

"He also said that there had been a bit of interest in me from other clubs since the end of the season as people had taken note of what I had done on loan at Coventry."

Partridge made his Liverpool debut in the 8-0 League Cup win over Stoke City in November 2000, but has not played for the Reds first team since.

He went on loan to Bristol Rovers and played 27 league games for Coventry last season before his hernia problem.

Meanwhile Liverpool's pursuit of Kewell has received a boost with Leeds admitting they will listen to offers for the winger.

Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie said: "If someone makes a reasonable offer formally then he will have to make up his mind. He's either going to sign up to a new contract or we will let him go."

With Barcelona pulling out of the chase, the Reds face a three-way battle with Arsenal and Manchester United.